Niebuhr and Obama

Obama has long said one of his main philosophical influences is Reinhold Niebuhr. Here is Andrew Sullivan's worthwhile take on how Niebuhr's thinking can be seen in Obama. He ends with a quote from Niebuhr:

"Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; there we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; there we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness."

That Daily Dish also found a great interview with Niebuhr circa 1958

Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan